Then tomorrow morning (Saturday, August 1) at 8 (you can get up for this) it’s the Artie Ball Swing Band in the music corner at the Athens Farmers Market in Bishop Park. Folks, the farmers market has been the highlight of our week all summer, even without the music. You owe it to yourself!

And on Sunday (August 2) beginning around 1 pm on the beautiful patio at the Square One Fish Co. near the Classic Center, Rand Lines brings his cool keys, Dennis Baraw adds a groovin’ bass line, and Carlton Owens stirs in some hot drum licks for the brunch crowd. (You can’t go wrong with the shrimp and grits. I know!)

2009-07-30

The Crime Prevention Unit will hold two community meetings to discuss crime problems in the community, relay ideas on how to have a better community, learn facts about neighborhood crime, have up-to-date information on crime prevention and crime prevention tools, and address issues on the physical condition of the neighborhood.
The first meeting will be Thurs., July 30, at 6:30 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, 2535 Jefferson Rd. Another meeting is scheduled for Wed., Sept. 2, at Central Baptist Church, 720 Danielsville Rd.
Residents are encouraged to attend these neighborhood meetings. For more information contact Lieutenant Terrie Patterson at 706-613-3358, ext 223, or Nick Aguilar, ext 237.
More here

Athens Heritage Walks, a new series of 13 guided tours sponsored by the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation, continues with a focus on The University of Georgia.

On July 30, noted author and historian Nash Boney leads a tour of The University of Georgia’s historic North Campus and Old Athens Cemetery.

Then on Saturday, August 8, archivist Steven Brown reveals the secrets and treasures of the UGA Hargrett Rare Book & Manuscript Library with a behind the scenes tour of this outstanding archival collection…in other words, lots of cool stuff from Athens and the state.

Space is limited so reservations are recommended.

Tours are $15/$12/$10.

All proceeds go to benefit the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation.

For a complete schedule of all 13 tours and to download an order form, visit the ACHF website at www.achfonline.org or call 706-353-1801.

Couldn't resist. Had to do a Monday morning photo walkabout downtown. Logged .75 miles on the pedometer. First stop, Trappeze Pub. Check out the images over at my tumblr blog for athensview.com. I'll be posting more images from the walkabout later today.

2009-07-19

Athens, GA (July 19) -- The board of directors of the Brussack Homeschool in Athens, Georgia, has voted to eliminate Texas from the social studies curriculum. "It's a relative late-comer to the union (zero help during the whole Founding thing), most of it is empty, and Houston has no zoning," said Bob Brussack, a spokesperson for the board. "We're thinking of replacing the Texas material with a chapter on Costa Rica. Wouldn't that be a great state?" Asked about the change, student Ian Brussack had this reaction: "Costa Rica? Yeah! Field trip! Field trip! Field trip!" (related story: "Conservatives Say Texas Social Studies Classes Give Too Much Credit to Civil Rights Leaders")

There are a thousand stories in the Classic City. This is one of them. I know it’s true, because I was there. Meet Dirty (left) and Manuel. Before today, as far as I know, they had never met. But fate brought them together at the Southeast Clarke Park. Dirty rides a motorcycle. He likes to ride hot, fast, and low. He rolled into the park this evening to check out some of the most beautiful works of American industrial art — classic cars and trucks rescued and lovingly revived by members of the Ol’ Skool Ryders Classic Car Club of Athens. Oh, the chrome. Oh, the paint jobs. Oh, the engines. Oh, the interiors. An acre of auto heaven. There was just one problem. Nobody seemed to have any jumper cables. And Dirty needed some jumper cables. His motorcycle, still as a statue in the middle of the road dividing the car show from the skatepark, was dead, it’s battery without the strength to start it. Dirty asked everyone for jumper cables. He even asked me. Nope. Then Manuel walked up. He had been watching the skaters, not the cars. Dirty asked Manuel the key question. And his answer was yes, I have jumper cables. Dirty insisted I take their picture together, which I did, and then Dirty mounted his steel steed and burned some serious rubber as he left the park. I, of course, was out of position and didn’t capture the dramatic exit. -- reblogged from my blog for athensview.com.

We're back from an exquisitely laid-back morning at the farmers market. Kate Morrissey performed solo this morning over in the music corner. Check out my blog for athensview.com for a vid, this image, and others.

2009-07-16

My Nikon and I strolled about downtown this morning between 7:45 and 8:45. Beginning at noon, I'll post an image from the stroll every half hour over at my Tumblr blog for athensview.com. Grab your walking shoes and come along. Here's an image from the series.

2009-07-15

I am just passing this information along, as it was recently passed to me. My first impression is that it could be interesting just because of the arrangements, since one of their photo pictures show more members holding a brass instrument or orchestral strings than guitars.

As I listen to the song 'Tall Trees' play from their MySpace page I hear a pop song that would probably sound at home both on college rock programming as well as more commercial broadcasting. Acoustic guitars, electronic-ish percussion sounds, accordion, some of the aforementioned instrumentation and vocals that a generation raised on Radiohead would approve.

Now listening to 'Fireplace' on their record labels promo page: it's a bit more agressive of a song, with electric guitar added to the mix, highlighted by thick backup vocals and strings.

If nothing else, it is an ambitious effort and also an intriguing one. Go take a listen, and if you like it, you know by now they are playing the 40 Watt tonight (Wednesday July 15).

There are so many things to love about the big-money sports. There is, for example, their generous embrace of the not-so-much-money sports, courtesy, in part, of Title IX. Have you been to the UGA softball field out on Milledge Extension to watch the women play? Over at athensview.com this morning, beginning at 9, I'll be serving up an image an hour from April of '07. Here's a sneak peak just for athensworld readers.

2009-07-13

from a list....-----------------------So it’s 5/8 playing on 7/14 at 8:00 with Scott Spillane (from Neutral Milk Hotel and other Elephant 6 collectives) playing a solo set at 7:00. The site: the new Flower Garden, a terraced garden lush with flowers, of course. And there will be free refreshments, both adult and all-ages, and light snacks, offered as part of the ticket price. This is a great chance to see one of Athens, and the country’s, great rock and roll outfits, playing a different kind of set, less electric but not less electrifying. R.E.M. tapped them to open a string of shows on a recent tour, and National Public Radio’s “All Songs Considered” profiled them with love and gusto. They have played thousands of shows, no exaggeration, and will bring the vim and vigor acquired through the years to the Garden. AND, it’s a show that still allows a decent night’s sleep, and it’s family-friendly. Lots of kids roaming about (not in the flower beds, please). And, should you desire, bring a (in best Yogi Bear voice) pic-i-nic basket loaded with your favorite comestibles, and fancy beer and wine if that’s your thing. (It’s Miller Lite draft and wine at the free stand.) The forecast is looking good-rain today and mostly sunny, and not super-hot, tomorrow. So now you’re thinking, hmm, music in my life, attainable. Hope to see you here tomorrow. Tomorrow is going to be a ton of fun.

Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members.This write-up is courtesy of William Tonks.

Japan has its living national treasures. Maybe we should recognize living Athens treasures. Who should be counted a living Athens treasure? One of my nominees would be Carl Lindberg. This morning over at the Athens Farmers Market, Carl sat all by himself in the music corner and worked his musical magic. He generously allowed me to record him with my trusty Kodak and to post the vid over at athensview.com. Drop by.

2009-07-10

Beginning at nine this morning, I'll be posting an image an hour from my archives. Today's subject will be the Sandy Creek Nature Center. Here's a bonus image just for the readers of Athens World. I had walked from the river across the short path through the power lines right-of-way, reaching the fence along the road to the ENSAT Center. I spotted a bird perched on the opposite fence. Just as I squeezed the shutter release, the bird left in a hurry. No complaint from me.

2009-07-08

How many times have you slowed your gait just a bit as you walked by OK Coffee on College Avenue, stealing an admiring glimpse at the concise elegance of the architecture, or stopped and picked up a coffee for a buck from the bearded dude in the window? Drop by my athensview.com for a profile of the bearded dude.

2009-07-07

This is a cautionary action effecting many more charities and quasi-charities. I am a huge supporter of Nuci's Space so obviously I think that the A/CC Government is barking up the wrong tree. Interesting to learn about Quality Deer Management used to be in Watkinsville and I believe Congressman Paul Broun had something to do with them before getting elected.NuÃÂ§i's Space property tax appeal heads to court this week | News | OnlineAthens.com

Karl Friday (drums) handles the sticks for Sonny Got Blue, the Athens ensemble that sets up every Monday at Ciné as the house band for the regular weekly jam session. Sonny Got Blue also performs Thursday nights for the dinner crowd at Girasoles in Watkinsville. Karl’s been jazz drumming for almost a decade now, having picked it up as a mid-life do-what-you-love-to-do thing. When he’s not anchoring the rhythm section for Sonny Got Blue, Karl often is out of the country altogether. He’s a professor of history at UGA specializing in Japan’s samurai culture, and he visits Japan often to conduct research or to visit his in-laws. Karl has sat in on some sessions over in Japan, and he’s trying to develop the connections to play more over there. (Note: This profile also appears on the artists page of athensjazz411.com.)